US Flight Delays Escalate as Government Shutdown Impacts Aviation Staffing and Safety

Airport security screeners warned the situation was likely to worsen as the government shutdown continued.

Airports across the United States experienced increased flight delays on Tuesday due to staffing shortages as the federal government shutdown entered its seventh day. Union leaders representing air traffic controllers and airport security screeners cautioned that conditions would likely deteriorate further.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported staffing issues at airports in Nashville, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia, as well as at air traffic control centers in Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth. Temporary slowdowns for departing flights to the first three cities were implemented as a result.

Similar major flight delays occurred the previous day, also attributed to insufficient staffing during the shutdown that began October 1. On Monday, the FAA reported delays at airports in Burbank, California, Newark, New Jersey, and Denver.

Travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt expressed growing concern, stating that the risk of significant disruptions to the U.S. aviation system "is growing by the day" as federal workers in critical positions continue working without compensation. He warned that prolonged shutdown could impact November holiday travel plans.

"I'm gravely concerned that if the government remains shut down then, that it could disrupt, and possibly ruin, millions of Americans' Thanksgiving holidays," Harteveldt remarked.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged on Monday that some locations had already experienced an increase in air traffic controllers calling in sick. When controller numbers are insufficient, the FAA must reduce takeoffs and landings to maintain safety standards, resulting in flight delays and potential cancellations.

This scenario unfolded Monday afternoon when the control tower at Southern California's Hollywood Burbank Airport closed for several hours, causing average delays of two-and-a-half hours.

A pilot preparing for takeoff who radioed the tower was informed: "The tower is closed due to staffing," according to communications recorded by LiveATC.net.

Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, emphasized that the shutdown exacerbated existing challenges his union members regularly face, including a critically understaffed national airspace system reliant on outdated, failure-prone equipment.

At small airports already operating with limited tower staffing, even a few controllers missing work can create significant disruptions.

"It's not like we have other controllers that can suddenly come to that facility and staff them. There's not enough people there," Daniels explained Tuesday. "There's no overtime, and you have to be certified in that facility."

The union leader predicted air travel complications would increase once the next regular payday arrives and air traffic controllers and TSA officers receive no compensation. If the impasse between Republican and Democratic lawmakers continues, workers will face mounting pressure as personal financial obligations become due.

"It's going to eventually be that when people don't have money, they have time to start making life choices and life decisions," he stated.

Daniels argued it was unreasonable to expect controllers to maintain focus solely on their challenging responsibilities of ensuring flight safety while not receiving payment, even if they ultimately receive back pay.

"That's not reality and it shouldn't be put on our backs," he said. "It's completely unfair that an air traffic controller is the one that holds the burden of 'see how long you can hang in there in order to allow this political process to play out?'"

Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees chapter representing TSA workers, reported hearing concerns such as "How are we going to handle paying our bills?" and "How are we going to pay our child support? How are you going to pay for childcare? How are you going to pay your mortgage payments? If I have to miss work, am I going to get terminated?"

"The employees are struggling. They're assessing what they need to do and they're assessing how this is all going to work out," said Jones, who has worked as a screener since the TSA's establishment.

While some TSA officers have called in sick, Jones did not believe the numbers were significant enough to cause major problems or delays at airports.

Aviation unions and U.S. airlines have united in calling for the shutdown to end as quickly as possible.

The unions are coordinating with food banks, grocery chains, and airports to secure support for workers during the shutdown. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offered federal workers $15 food vouchers and terminal parking privileges, according to Jones.

John Tiliacos, chief operating officer of Florida's Tampa International Airport, described how the facility began preparations well before the shutdown commenced.

Nicknamed "Operation Bald Eagle 2" among airport staff, these efforts focus on gathering resources for approximately 11,000 federal employees working without pay at the airport, including security screeners and air traffic controllers.

Tiliacos outlined assistance programs including a food pantry, free bus transportation to work, and arrangements with local utility providers to prevent service disconnections at workers' homes.

"Whatever we can do to make life a little easier for these federal employees that allows them to continue coming to work and focus on keeping our airport operational, that's what we're prepared to do," he stated.

Tampa's airport provided similar support for affected workers during the 35-day government shutdown in 2018 and 2019 during President Donald Trump's first term. Tiliacos believes this assistance helped prevent the widespread staffing shortages experienced by other airports during that period.